Pages

Friday, April 17, 2015

They had forgotten how long they'd been running for, but it felt like forever. Down tunnel after tunnel, jumping hurdle after hurdle, the couple was tired. Going in, they knew it might be a long, arduous, journey but they had also decided that the effort would be worth it. So, hand in hand, they continued to run, helping and supporting each other, and hoping for the best. In some spots the long, dark, tunnels seemed to shine with small rays of light. Those lights quickly flickered out and the couple had to continue on their way, groping along the walls until another ray of light would present itself. In other parts of the tunnel, the floor would fall way and they had to jump, relying on a wing and prayer to carry them across the great chasm. The couple had some help along their way but, sometimes, the help seemed to hinder more than aid them on their way.Finally, though, they glimpsed a small pinprick of light unlike the others. This one seemed to be on the horizon and was pulsating. Was this the proverbial light at the end of the tunnel?Yes.Yes, it was.

The couple looked at each other, exchanged a smile and kiss, and sprinted closer to the light that grew larger with each step.

So, yes, it's all official-like now...we're about to become homeowners. The loan was approved (as we knew it would be, going through the VA) and we have a closing date. This Monday, the 20th. All the "T"s are being crossed and all the "I"s are being dotted. Truth to tell, I don't remember this process being quite this complicated. I had bought a home a few years ago and remember a very smooth experience. My best guess is that since the loan is going through the VA, there's more hoops to jump through.

Anyway, we're closing on Monday, getting the keys, and then......celebrating.

Our movers aren't coming until Wednesday, so we'll have Tuesday to get some things (cable and the all important Interwebz!) set up and figure out what we'll need to buy first. The looks of the gutters tells me a ladder is going to be first on the list....right after a washer.

In our quest for a dining room chandelier, I saw this one and immediately thought it was something that needed to be hanging in the Batcave. Or, at least, my office/man-cave. What do you think?

I hope you all have a relaxing, fun filled, weekend.

As for me....I'll be packing :)

(Oh, almost forgot, I'm still taking suggestions for next Friday's flash fiction so, if you have any ideas, let me know via comments. Thanks!)

Monday, April 13, 2015

When I first heard that Netflix was going to do some original programming showcasing some Marvel Comics characters, I have to admit....I cringed just a bit.

Don't get me wrong, Netflix has done a pretty decent job of doing original programming "right" as evidenced by watching Lilyhammer or Orange Is The New Black. I cringed because they were trying to bring super-heroes to television. Something that doesn't always work out so well.

Back in the late 80s, Marvel tried a, sort of, 'backdoor spin off' series of Daredevil in "The Trial of the Incredible Hulk" movie. The series never took off, but it did give comic fans something they hadn't seen, up to that point.

Daredevil on screen.

The Incredible Hulk and some ninja dude

I remember being pretty pumped about more super-hero themed shows getting exposure and I didn't even balk (too much) about the facts that his suit wasn't red or that he didn't have horns on his mask, or that he didn't have the DD symbol on his chest. I mean, we had Daredevil on screen.....it wasn't the time to nitpick.

Later on, after seeing Affleck's (who was 'da bomb' in Phantoms, yo!) Daredevil, THAT was the time to nitpick. Needless to say, I wasn't a fan and had, by that point, become more jaded about seeing super heroes on the small (or large) screen.

Ham fisted 'thespian', Affleck, stinking up the screen in a red suit.

When I heard Netflix was bringing Daredevil back to the small screen I had some mixed emotions, but knew I'd still give it a try.

And,boy, am I glad I did.

I'm about four episodes in (I told my wife I'd wait for her to catch up,so we can finish the rest together) and am really enjoying it. It's got the gritty feel that you'd expect from a show about someone who's decided to don a mask and fight crime in Hell's Kitchen, New York.

The cast is solid. From Cox's Murdock/Daredevil to D'Onofrio's Wilson Fisk/Kingpin, with the only (sort of) weak link being Elden Hensen's Foggy Nelson, who I hope gets a bit more development. The writing is pretty good and, as someone on Twitter said, "In the first episode of Daredevil, we see more Marvel continuity then in two seasons of Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D".

I can't argue with that.

Like I said, I'm only four episodes in so things could really go either way, good or bad, with this one,but I find myself oddly optimistic that they'll hurdle that high bar they've set for themselves.

If you have Netflix, give it a shot and let me know if you're liking it....or not.

Friday, April 10, 2015

I know most of you are probably smack dab in the middle of the A to Z Challenge, so I just want to wish you all the best and hang in there....you're almost done! Right? Hopefully, I'll be in a better place next year to join in on all the fun.

In my last post, I threw a few things about my current situation out there and just wanted to follow up to let you all know where we're standing.

--We finally have a closing date for our home. I hate to even mention that because I don't want to jinx it, but it's (barring any more hurdles to jump) in ten days, on the 20th of this month. Things seem to be moving, now, but I'm still a bit shocked at the amount of time it's taken (almost a month and a half) to secure things. Keep your digits and appendages crossed for us and I'll post more info as it becomes available.

--A quick apology explanation to those who looked me up on Twitter and saw quite a bit of political material. Like everyone else, I tend to have opinions on our country and those who are supposed to be leading us. Unlike everyone else, I don't have a big problem expressing my views. While I always enjoy keeping up with my blogging/writing pals, I know we don't always share those views on all issues, so if you followed me and political stuff isn't something you dig, please feel free to unfollow or mute me or whatever...I promise you won't hurt my feelings :) I do, at times, make mention of other things, like comics, movies, t.v., etc., so don't think it's all just boring stuff :) Though, I guess, it's mostly boring stuff.

After sitting out most of last season, I've decided to go back and catch up on an old favorite of mine....Mad Men. I've always been a big fan of the show and I'm a sucker for 'period' pieces, but Hamm's Don Draper was so despicable that I just had to stop watching. It's a 'catch-22' for me in that the writing and acting is just that good, but I couldn't keep watching. I know that probably doesn't make much sense, but it does in the recesses of my mind, so there ya go. Anyway, with the final episodes coming up, I've caught up and am riding it out until the end. In all honesty, it's been a great run and I hope Hamm (as well as most of the rest of the cast) gets more acting/producing/directing, whatever they wants gigs.

I've been toying with the ideas of trying another 'blog schedule', but that's still up on the air. If it does stick, though, what I'd like to do on Fridays is something like a "Flash Fiction Friday", where I take suggestions, either through the comments or Twitter, for an idea or theme and post what I come up with on Fridays. The length being determined by how the chosen idea grabs me. So, to start things off, drop a few ideas in the comment section (or Twitter) and it'll give me a good excuse to get the ball rolling.

Now, speaking of excuses, I have to go check out Daredevil on Netflix. I've been looking forward to it, for a while now, and will let you know what I think in my next post.